BJP Slams Lyricist for Hurting Religious Sentiments; Literary Circles Defend Poetic Interpretation
A literary comment by acclaimed Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu has ignited a major political controversy. Speaking at a cultural event, he remarked that Lord Ram “lost his mind” after being separated from Goddess Sita.
The event was held in Tamil Nadu, where Vairamuthu received an award named after Kambar, the Tamil poet who authored a version of the Ramayana. During his speech, Vairamuthu referenced Indian law and literary symbolism.
“After being separated from Sita, Ram lost his mind. Crimes committed in such a state are not considered crimes under IPC Section 84,” he said.
BJP Reacts Strongly to the Remarks
Vairamuthu’s statement was immediately condemned by the BJP, which accused him of hurting Hindu religious sentiments.
- Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran called the comments “unacceptable” and questioned whether Chief Minister MK Stalin supported such views.
- BJP Spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy went further, calling Vairamuthu “a fool” and “someone who has lost his mind.”
- The party also labeled him a repeat offender, referring to his earlier controversial comments about Andal, a revered Hindu Goddess.
Supporters Defend Vairamuthu’s Intent
Sources close to Vairamuthu dismissed the backlash, saying his comments were taken out of context. According to them:
- The speech was a literary interpretation, not a religious or political statement.
- The intention was to humanize Lord Ram, not insult him.
- Vairamuthu referenced the episode in the Ramayana where Ram kills Vaali from hiding, a scene often discussed in literary debates.
“With a preset anti-Vairamuthu mindset, everything he says is being slammed,” said a close associate.
Political & Cultural Impact
The issue has once again sparked debate in Tamil Nadu over:
- Freedom of literary expression
- The intersection of religion and politics
- Whether political parties are using cultural figures for electoral narratives
With state elections due in 2026, the controversy has given the BJP fresh ground to criticize the DMK and its allies.
So far, the DMK has remained silent, letting the controversy unfold between the BJP and Vairamuthu’s supporters.
Past Allegations Add to the Heat
This is not the first time Vairamuthu has faced public scrutiny. During the #MeToo movement, singer Chinmayi Sripaada accused him of sexual harassment. Vairamuthu denied the allegations and challenged her to file a formal complaint, saying he would fight it legally.
The controversy over Vairamuthu’s comments on Lord Ram has reignited tensions between literary freedom and religious sentiment. While supporters call it a poetic interpretation, critics see it as an attack on faith. As the debate deepens, the political implications in Tamil Nadu are likely to grow louder in the run-up to the 2026 assembly elections
